The plane which took off from Kaohsiung in southern Taiwan was scheduled to make a domestic flight to Penghu's Magong Airport, located west of the main island of Taiwan, according to the Associated Press.

After failing to land on its first attempt the plane confirmed that make a second attempt at landing before contact was lost. However, the outer rain bands of Matmo were lashing the area with downpours and strong winds.

Torrential rainfall rates of 50-100 mm (2-4 inches) per hour were occurring when contact was lost with the plane at 7:06 pm, local time. Wind gusts over 50 kph (30 mph) were also reported at this time.

The Associated Press reports that 47 of the people on board were trapped inside and feared dead while 11 others were injured.